Measurement of soluble fibrin monomer-fibrinogen complex in plasmas derived from patients with various underlying clinical situations

Summary

We previously reported a monoclonal antibody named IF-43 that specifically recognizes thrombin-modified fibrinogen (desAA- and desAABB- fibrin monomer) bound with fibrinogen or other D₁ domain-containing plasmic fragments such as fragments X, Y, and D1, but not intact fibrinogen or cross-linked fibrin degradation products (XDP). Here, we tentatively named such complexes, soluble fibrin monomer (FM) -fibrinogen complex.

By utilizing IF-43, we have developed a kit to measure soluble FM-fibrinogen complex and compared the profiles with those of two established molecular markers for thrombo-embolic disorders: i.e. the thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT) and the D-dimer in plasma of patients who underwent surgery without any thrombo-embolic complications. The result indicated that soluble FM-fibrinogen complex is a distinct entity from the two established molecular markers. We have also attempted to observe their profiles in patients with the disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome (DIC). Although the profiles of soluble FM-fibrinogen complex in individual patients appeared to vary from one patient to the other, the plasma level of soluble FM-fibrinogen complex was found to be increased at the initial phase of disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome. Thus, the soluble FM-fibrinogen complex may serve as an independent molecular marker for the detection of thrombin generation and the diagnosis of thrombosis. The soluble FM-fibrinogen complex may also serve as a risk factor for thrombosis, because it may precipitate as insoluble complexes beyond its threshold in plasma, or when it is modified by thrombin.

Part of this paper was originally presented at the 17th International Fibrinogen Workshop of the International Fibrinogen Research Society (IFRS) held in Munich, Germany, September, 2002.

Keywords

Soluble fibrin monomer-fibrinogen complex - surgery - DIC

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